Stacked stone over painted fireplace

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jayedeluxe

New Member
Apr 20, 2021
6
San Diego
New to the page, thanks for having me.
I'm looking to install stacked stone over my painted brick fireplace. It is a pretty uneven surface as you can see. I'm using 1/4 in. x 2 1/4 in. Tapcon screws into 1/2 in. Durock. I know that ideally, I would get rid of the paint, but at this point that's not an option. The house remodel is done, and I went with this at the end of the project. (mistake, I know). My question is: is it critical to fill all voids behind the Durock ? And how many Tapcons should I use per 3x5 sheet ? Thanks !!!

fireplace.jpg
 
What kind of stone are you installing exactly? 1/2" durock would normally be installed over 16" stud spacing so I see no real advantage of filling the voids. As long as you are securely fastening it and it's flat enough for what you are doing.
 
What kind of stone are you installing exactly? 1/2" durock would normally be installed over 16" stud spacing so I see no real advantage of filling the voids. As long as you are securely fastening it and it's flat enough for what you are doing.
Don't know the manufacturer, but they are 6x24 inch interlocking ledger panels. I'm guessing 1/2 inch thick
 
New to the page, thanks for having me.
I'm looking to install stacked stone over my painted brick fireplace. It is a pretty uneven surface as you can see. I'm using 1/4 in. x 2 1/4 in. Tapcon screws into 1/2 in. Durock. I know that ideally, I would get rid of the paint, but at this point that's not an option. The house remodel is done, and I went with this at the end of the project. (mistake, I know). My question is: is it critical to fill all voids behind the Durock ? And how many Tapcons should I use per 3x5 sheet ? Thanks !!!

View attachment 277984
On 16"studs its 8" on center.
 
I wouldn't get too crazy with the fasteners. Every 12 should be sufficient. Or 16"x8" as mentioned above. The main thing is to have a fairly flat surface. 6x24 is fairly large and will show if things aren't flat enough. 1/4" in 4 feet would be flat enough in my opinion.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm also thinking if the Tapcon secured Durock is uneven from affixing to such an uneven surface, I could probably lay a scratch coat down and somewhat float it out ?
 
You could shoot metal lath on and mortar the stone to the lath. Works well over painted brick.
 

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You could shoot metal lath on and mortar the stone to the lath. Works well over painted brick.
So much better. Bet ya don't miss that Goth fireplace look.
 
Thanks for all your advice. My plan is to chip away at any super high parts of the brick. Use a strong construction adhesive at all contact points, then use 2 1/4 inch Tapcon screws every 12 inches for the 3x5 Durock sheets. Not sure if I need to tape and mud all joints and corners, though ???
 
So much better. Bet ya don't miss that Goth fireplace look.
No, I love the new look. Right now it is a storage area while I'm working my way through the kitchen. More stone to so in the kitchen also.
 
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Yes you should tape & mud the seams definitely.
You're doing it the hard way, but it's what your comfy with, Goof luck in your project.
 
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Thanks for all your advice. My plan is to chip away at any super high parts of the brick. Use a strong construction adhesive at all contact points, then use 2 1/4 inch Tapcon screws every 12 inches for the 3x5 Durock sheets. Not sure if I need to tape and mud all joints and corners, though ???
Construction adhesive is flammable and shouldn't be used in this application
 
Hogwildz documented the whole process in a few threads in the DIY forum. Moving this one over there.
 
A Hilti gun, Powder actuated shots & washer pins
We use those and short masonry nails you can drive by hand as well. We use a magnetic hammer and one whack and they are in. Those are much faster but don't hold as well. So we usually use the Hilti on the edges and any corners then fill in with the others.